The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) has launched a new maritime engineering track within the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree program, designed to prepare students for careers in the maritime industry.

The new track emphasizes learning in three core areas:

• Observation system and sensor development for monitoring marine environments.
• Marine autonomous vehicle systems for surface and subsurface applications.
• Marine energy technologies for harvesting power in challenging environments.
   

“Driven by a recognized workforce shortage in marine engineering industries and UMD’s mission to provide unique, place-based experiences, the new Maritime Engineering track in Mechanical Engineering positions our students for success in the marine industries and economies of the future,” said Craig Hill, PhD, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at UMD.

Students will experience applied learning in the classroom, field experiences on Lake Superior aboard the Research Vessel Blue Heron, tours and visits from industry professionals in the Port of Duluth, and opportunities for summer internships.

Eric Pederson, entering his senior year in mechanical engineering, works in Hill’s lab as an undergraduate researcher developing low-cost marine monitoring systems and testing river turbine efficiency. When the new maritime engineering subplan was announced, he quickly declared the track. “Having the opportunity to add this subplan was appealing to me to show that I was not only doing research related to marine energy but I was also taking my degree in the same direction,” Pederson said.

By bridging theoretical instruction and real-world marine challenges, the track serves as a direct pipeline to the maritime industry and beyond. Graduates will leave UMD not only with a mechanical engineering degree but with the specialized, hands-on experience needed to solve the complex engineering problems of the 21st century.